Statements Stand In Cop Shooting

May 03, 1994|By Daily Press

NEWPORT NEWS — Prosecutors trying Nephus Stanley for the slaying of Newport News police officer Steven R. Rutherford will be allowed to use at trial the statements Stanley made to authorities after the shooting, a judge ruled Monday.

Stanley, 18, is accused of robbing and fatally shooting Rutherford, who was posing as a pizza delivery man when he was shot Jan. 11.

Three other teen-agers have been charged with murder in the case.

Stanley told police he shot Rutherford but said he opened fire only after Rutherford pulled his own gun.

Robert E. Frank, one of Stanley's attorneys, argued Monday that Stanley had been arrested illegally and that his statements to police should be thrown out.